Archive for June, 2014 // All the posts in this month

Vision Quest // Andrew Froemming

“And the Lord answered me: ‘Write the vision; make it plain… so he may run who reads it.’” Habakkuk 2:2.

Vision is important. As the verse says, vision is a call to action. Vision is an important concept in our personal and business lives, but it also applies spiritually. The Bible has many stories of people who received a vision that they shared and lived out: Abraham, Jonah, Moses, and Elijah (just to name a few).

What would it mean for us to have our own vision quest? Let’s first look at the origin of this concept that comes to us from Native American culture. For the Native Americans a vision quest is a turning point in life where a person finds oneself and their intended spiritual, life direction and purpose. Do you have a vision for your life? If you answered “Yes!” to that question, how do you believe God fits in to that vision?

Jeremiah 29:11 says, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the LORD. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’” The Bible makes it clear that God has a vision for our lives. Don’t let that scare you. God doesn’t plan to hijack your life, leaving you stuck on a runaway train of destiny. God made you and God is not looking to change who you are. Instead, God wants to bring you to accomplish a higher purpose with your life, more fulfilling then anything you could reach on your own.

This next week, take time to have a prayerful vision quest with God. Ask God, “What are You equipping me to do? What doors are You opening?” Then write down the visions so you can refer to it later and don’t be afraid to step out in faith. I can attest from my life that when God calls you to something. God always provides what I needed no matter how impossible it seems at the time.

Greg Nelson, Spiritual Teacher & Strengths Coach
I believe some of the most important questions to ask ourselves are, Why am I here? Where am I going? And how am I getting there? Spending intentional time reflecting on and discovering the answers to those questions has the potential to radically revolutionize our lives. And our personal transformations then can create a ripple effect that engages the people around us, producing maximum fulfillment, contribution, meaning, and depth.

Greg Nelson. D.Min, a pastor to churches over 30 years, now works primarily as a consultant and coach for organizations such as American Express and Amazon, and is passionate about helping individuals and teams live lives that are based upon their strengths.

Shasta Nelson, Relationship & Transition Coach
No matter how connected we are, how popular we hope we are or how many friends we have on facebook, a nagging sense of loneliness permeates our culture. Whether it’s a move to a new city, a change in our relationship status, a switch in jobs or the entering of a new life phase, the majority of us may feel like we know a lot of people, but we are keenly aware that we are lacking that deep sense of belonging.

Shasta Nelson, M.Div. is the author of “Friendships Don’t Just Happen” and the CEO of GirlFriendCircles.com, a website that matches women to new friends. She brings her pastoral voice to audiences as she travels and speaks around the country on loneliness and healthy relationships, and as a regular contributor in the media, appearing on such shows as The Today Show and Good Morning America.

I am very happy to be your pastor and excited to get to know you! In the meantime, here are some things about me I might not share in my message today.

I am the oldest of four brothers and the son of my mother, my father and step-mom. I have three surviving grandparents, one of whom lives down Normandie Ave. from here. My ethnic background is mixed Caucasian with mixed Asian, which makes me fully hapa.

I am the proud parent of two frogs and a beta as well as a whole bunch of plants that love me.

I have degrees in business management, elementary teaching, religion and pastoral ministry, while being deeply interested in animals, ecosystems and space (#Trekkie4life).

Some of my hobbies are cooking, eating, mixed-media art and big projects with purpose. In my spare time I am on my computer exploring the world, people, places and ideas through YouTube, or having deep conversations with friends on Google Hangout.

I have served two church families over the past five years, and ministered to my fellow students while I was in college. I am deeply interested in understanding the life of each person I meet and value my relationships above most everything else. In each person God has invested His supreme interest and value and love. I am trying to do the same.

I look forward to relationship-building, personal growth and deep spiritual contemplation here at Hollywood as we walk together toward Him.

This week we are reflecting on the topic of walking in victory. What does it mean to walk in victory? Google defines victory as an “act of defeating an enemy or opponent in a battle, game, or other competition.”

Spiritually, we are in a universal conflict between good and evil. In this battle we are outnumbered and the future would look bleak at best but the Bible tells us that we have an Ally who is all powerful. If we ask, God will come to our aid and alter the course of our life from one of loss to one of victory.

The Bible says in Colossians 2:13-15, “You were dead in your transgressions […] Yet He made you alive together with Him […] having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Jesus.”

Because of Jesus we can walk in victory each day. Walking in victory does not mean that we are perfect people who will never be battered and bruised in this ongoing conflict. It does, however, mean that never again do we have to live in a world with the cards stacked against us. Our Ally has given us the upper hand so we walk in victory. This next week let’s spend time reflecting on how the knowledge of victory affects how we live. In addition let’s also remember to thank our Ally, Jesus Christ, for giving us the upper hand.

We are happy to update you on some changes to our church leadership team. Starting June 14, the Hollywood Seventh-day Adventist Church will add to our current staff a new leadership package that includes Greg and Shasta Nelson as Senior Administrators and Life Coach Consultants, and Branden Stoltz as Senior Pastor.

Branden Stoltz with be preaching on June 14, and Dr. Greg Nelson will preach on June 21. Come meet our newest leaders!

Senior Pastor Branden Stoltz

Greg and Shasta Nelson as Senior Administrators and Life Coach Consultants